Thanks Kia Canada for $275.30
Over a year ago now, my wife and I decided to purchase a 2012 Kia Soul. Our purchase was prompted from having two aging cars, hers nearing 10 years old and mine going on 12 years old at the time. Both vehicles cost us a decent chunk of change every time they required service. One of them still does. We decided in November 2011 we needed at least one reliable vehicle and settled on the Soul.
Since our purchase we’ve been happy with the Soul. The features of the car are great, the purchase price was in our budget as was the financing (0% interest). The fuel economy was attractive as well: 8.5 L/100 km city and 6.8 L/100 km highway. However, after the engine was “broken in” we found the fuel economy to be higher than the manufacturer’s label claim – noticeably. We were consuming about 0.5 L/100 km more in both city and highway driving. Turns out this variance was not going unnoticed by management at Kia Canada, thanks to reliability ratings from Consumer Reports and pressure from other watchdog groups. So, much to my surprise, Kia Canada actually decided to do something about it.
To compensate Soul owners like us, Kia dealers used odometer readings to determine how much car owners might have saved if their Souls used the revised (corrected) fuel economy over the last year and promised vehicle owners a pre-paid credit card for difference, including an additional 15% for other variances. We applied for our pre-paid credit card at the Kia dealership in November 2012. A few weeks ago, we got it, loaded with $275.30.
Since obtaining this pre-paid credit card, we’ve used it for all sorts of things including gas for the Soul. The money didn’t last too long and the balance will be at zero very soon. However, there’s more money on the way. Later this year, a new pre-paid credit card will be issued and this process will continue every year thereafter as long as we own the Soul.
Thanks Kia Canada for making good on your promise.
What do you make of Kia Canada’s efforts – righting a wrong?
Sounds like they didn’t have much of an option (other than to go back on their word which would have been pretty damaging to the brand). But that’s still pretty sweet that they’re going to pay you each year.
Hyundai had to do the same thing for some of their models. I’ve figured out that I’ll get $1 back for every 100 kilometres we drive – or about $200 a year.
Getting a dividend from a depreciating asset? I’ll take it!
That’s kind of cool to see a car manufacturer doing something like that. I can see them paying you back for one year and making the changes to sticker but paying you every year for as long as you own the car is pretty darn awesome. I’d hang onto that car as long as I could.
I thought so as well Chris. For as long as we own the car is pretty cool! Hope to have it for 10 years!
Hyundai is doing the same for some of its cars, but it sounds like Kia made it simpler. Sounds good!
Yeah, maybe we got lucky with the process?
I didn’t realize they’d be giving you money every year. That almost feels like a dividend!
Hey now….
Kidding aside, it was nice to see the pre-paid card. They didn’t have to but their reputation depended on it.
Color me cynical, but it’s hard to believe that they did that purely out of the kindness of their hearts. Regardless, its a great gesture and free money is always good.
Just started to follow you on Twitter! Yeah, it was a good of them, although it was really damage control for Kia. That was a major screw-up!